Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Surgeon vs Veterinarian salary

In Australia, a surgeon earns about 158% more than a veterinarian $478,146 vs $185,290 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$478,146/yr
Monthly
$39,834
Hourly
$230
Range
$306,041$688,558
10-yr outlook
+3%
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$185,290/yr
Monthly
$15,476
Hourly
$89
Range
$130,258$252,536
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileSurgeonVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$306,041$130,258
25th$392,094$157,809
Median$478,146$185,290
75th$583,352$218,948
Senior (90th)$688,558$252,536

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a surgeon or veterinarian earn more in Australia?
A surgeon earns more, at about $689,000 per year vs $267,000 for a veterinarian — roughly 158% ($422,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A surgeon typically earns $441,000–$992,200, while a veterinarian earns $187,700–$363,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a surgeon averages about $57,400 and a veterinarian about $22,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a surgeon earns about $441,000 while a veterinarian earns about $187,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a surgeon earns about $992,200 while a veterinarian earns about $363,900 per year.
Are surgeon and veterinarian similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.